âIâve missed you, Your Highness!â
â!â
Rishe exclaimed and clung tightly to Arnoldâs arm.
Arnold seemed to have gasped, but it went unnoticeable.
When he looked down at her with his usual blank expression, Rishe raised her head and gave him a petulant child-like look.
âI thought youâd be late coming back, but I didnât expect to find you here. Your Highness didnât come back, so I had dinner alone, you know?â
ââ¦â
âSince youâve had a break from your work, you should have come to see me immediately, as you always did. I donât want you to forget that Iâm looking forward to seeing You Highness at all times.â
She clung to Arnoldâs arm and rubbed her head against it.
Rishe feigned anger and looked up at Arnold like a spoiled child.
ââ Acting as if she hadnât heard a word of the exchange just now.
Now, how will Your Highness react?
Rishe hugged Arnoldâs arm even tighter before Bishop Schneiderâs eyes.
Arnold frowned slightly but only for a moment.
Unless my behavior was an excessive pretenseâ¦
As she was wondering, Arnold spoke.
âIâm sorry.â
â!â
Just as she suspected.
Arnold whispered downcast and patted Rishe on the head as if to comfort her.
âIâve just finished my official duties. Iâve thought of rushing things, but I seem to have made you lonely.â
The most beautifully shaped fingers in the world combed her coral-colored hair.
Gentle fingers dotingly brushed Risheâs sideburns over her ears. Then he looked closely into her eyes and asked.
âIâll have a quick dinner but stay by my side, all right?ân/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âOf course, Your Highness. And while weâre eating, I would like to hear about the events of the day.â
Rishe smiled gently and enacted a familiar exchange.
After that, she turned her attention to Schneider.
âBishop, I apologize for my willfulness. But may I have My Lord back for tonight?â
She rubbed her cheek against Arnoldâs arm and dared to request willfully.
The stunned Schneider cleared his throat and nodded.
âO-Of course. The Goddess commends hard work, but not if itâs at the expense of your health. ââ Now, if youâll excuse me, I have some business to attend to.â
Schneider scrambled off.
Rishe was lost in thought as she watched him disappear.
You must not marry Arnold Hein.
The Bishop warned her.
She must find out what his intentions were as soon as possible. To that end, she needed to lend a hand to Myria for the festival.
While she was thinking in silence, Arnold next to her spoke.
âRisheâ¦â
âYes?â
She wondered why he sounded so close.
âHââ
The moment it dawned on Rishe, she turned pale.
âHyaaah!â
Speaking of which, she was still hugging Arnoldâs arm.
She shrieked and distanced herself away upon registering it. She held up her hands and apologized, insisting that she meant no harm.
âI-Iâm sorry! I was so lost in thought that I forgot Iâm clinging to your arm!! And forgive me for sticking to you without your permission!!â
âWhy are you apologizing?â
Arnold wrinkled his brow and looked back at her pensively.
âDid you hear it? I said I was going to make you my nominal wife.â
âOf course, I heard itâ¦â
Rishe tilted her head and looked into Arnoldâs blue eyes.
âHow could I possibly take Your Highnessâs word for it?â
ââ¦â